Bathtub

ABSTRACT

A bathtub, which is rotatable from a lower entering position to a higher bathing position on a horizontal axis comprises a seat and back portion and a foot portion whose top is defined by a substantially U-shaped edge. The seat portion and the pivot axis of the bathtub are located at least as high as said U-shaped edge in the entering position of the bathtub. In the bathing position this U-shaped edge is situated on a higher level than the seat portion, which together with a wall of the foot portion forms a ridge which is located on a lower level than the whole opening of the bathtub in the bathing position, so that bathing water can flow from the foot portion to the seat and back portion.

United States Patent 1111 3,924, Ekman 5] Dec. 9, 1975 [54] BATHTUB FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventol'l Lars Gustaf Ekman, Helsingborg, 450,128 9/1927 Germany 4/176 Sweden 122,339 9/1900 Germany 4/176 [73] Assignee: Olle Blomqvist Rehab-Produkter AB, Stockholm Sweden Primary Exammer.lohn W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Stuart S. Levy Flled: p 21, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmHubbell, Cohen, & Stiefel [21] Appl. No.: 399,285

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A bathtub, which is rotatable frorn a lower entering S t 28 1972 S d 12522 72 pos1t1on to a hlgher bathing position on a horizontal ep we en axis comprises a seat and back portion and a foot portion whose top is defined by a substantially U-shaped 4/176 h edge. The seat portion and the pivot axis of the bath- Fieid 41/173478 tub are located at least as high as said U-shaped edge in the enten'ng position of the bathtub. In the bathing position this U-s'haped edge is situated on a higher level than the seat portion, which together with a wall [56] References Cited of the foot portion forms a ridge which is located on a UNITED STATES PATENTS lower level than the whole opening of the bathtub in 3,090,969 5/1963 Maling 4/185 S X the bathing position, so that bathing water can flow .7 9 km n 176 X from the foot portion to the seat and back portion. 3,641,596 2/1972 Bill 4/176 X 3,827,087 8/1974 Cuthbertson 4/176 x 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. atent Dec.91975 Sheet 1 of4 3,924,278

US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,924,278

U.S. Patfint Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,924,278

Sheet 4 of 4 US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 1 BATHTUB This invention relates to bathtub means, which is rotatable from a lower entering position to a higher bathing position on a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bathtub and which comprises two portions which are separated by a discontinuity and of which one is a seat and back portion and the other is a foot portion which at its top is defined by an edge which is substantially U-shaped as seen in a plan view.

Tiltable and pivotable or rotatable bathtubs are known in several different forms. Thus, the German patent 450 l28 discloses a bathtub comprising two substantially parallelepipedal portions which are integral with each other and whose respective bottoms form an obtuse angle with each other, said bathtub being rotatably secured in its one portion to a pair of mutually parallel swing arms in such a way that said portion is swung upwards and the other portion is swung downwards at the same time as the bathtub is displaced in its longitudinal direction, when the swing arms are swung upwards. In this bathtub of the prior art thepivot axis is thus not stationary but movable. That portion of the bathtub, in which the swing arms are journalled, is a foot, seat and back portion, and the other portion is a head portion (in respect of the bathing person). The seat portion is here not elevated but forms part of the bottom of the bathtub in a conventional way.

Another example of a pivotable or rotatable bathtub is described in the Swedish patent 330 762, which relates to a bathtub which has a more conventional shape, in that the bathtub can be considered as being composed of a parallelepiped and an adjoining rectangular prism. The bathtub is rotatable on a stationary axis which is located on a comparatively high level and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. The advantage of this known device resides therein, that the longest edge of the bathtub will be located on a low level when the bathtub is turned down, so that it will be easy to get into and out of, and in that the bathtub may be swung up to a comparatively high bathing position, which facilitates the work of the bath personnel when bathing disabled persons, who can not bath without aid. This known bathtub too, has not got any seat portion which is elevated above the bottom of the bathtub, but its seat portion forms part of the bottom of the bathtub proper, as is the case in the abovementioned bathtub.

Furthermore the state of art comprises a bathtub (disclosed in the French patent 662 706) the contour of which, as seen in a longitudinal section, resembles that of an easy-chair. Thus, this bathtub has a seat portion which is elevated above the bottom of the bathtub and continues in an inclined back portion. The bathtub is very high, and is therefore very difficult to get into and out of. On account hereof it is difficult for disabled persons and those who have difficulties to move to use such a bathtub. The bathtub is not pivotable, either. In addition hereto, each bath will require a great quantity of water on account of the shape and the great heighth of the bathtub, which renders the bathtub uneconomical in use.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a bathtub arrangement which in itself combines the advantages of the bathtubs described above without suf fering from their drawbacks.

A special object of the invention is to provide a rotatable or pivotable bathtub which is easy to get into and out of, even for movement-disabled persons, and which may be swung up to a bathing position on a level which is comfortable and work facilitating for the bath personnel when disabled persons are concerned, who can not bath without aid.

These objects are attained by the bathtub according to the invention thanks to the fact that the seat portion in the entering position of the bathtub like the pivot axis of the bathtub is located at least approximately as high as said U-shaped edge, which in the bathing position is situated on a higher level than the seat portion, which together with a wall comprised in the foot portion forms a ridge, which is convex as seen from the interior of the bathtub and whose crest, which forms said discontinuity, in the bathing position is located on a lower level than the whole opening of the bathtub, so that bathing water can flow from the foot portion to the seat and back portion at the tilting up of the bathtub to bathing position.

The design of the bathtub according to the invention affords a very comfortable position in the bathtub for the bathing person. Furthermore a minimum quantity of water, which is still sufficient for a real bath, may be supplied beforehand, so that the bath is ready when e.g. a patient is transported there to become bathed.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the annexed drawings, which diagrammatically and as non-limitin g examples illustrate some preferred embodiments of the invention, and in which FIGS. 1 and 2 are side elevational views of a first embodiment of a bathtub means according to the invention, shown in entering position and bathing position, respectively;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment shown in the entering position in solid lines and in the bathing position in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment of the bathtub according to FIGS. 1 and 2, as seen in the entering position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment, also illustrated in the entering position; and

FIGS. 6 7 are side elevational views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively, of a further embodiment.

Known details, such as pipings, fittings and so on are omitted in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bathtub having top edges 1 and 2, a back side or portion 3, a seat portion 4, a foot or bottom portion 5 with short sides 6 and 7 and outlet 8. By means of a shank 9 the bathtub is rotatably or pivotably journalled on a shaft 10 in the framework 11, 12 which has feet 13. A press piston 14 for water hydraulics has its piston rod pivotally journalled at 15 in a shank 16 on the bathtub and its bottom pivoted at 17 in the framework 11, 12. A spillway is provided at 22. A removable carrier frame 18 is supported partly by the seat portion 4, partly by the upper marginal edge of the foot portion by means of hooks 19 or the like. A bathing seat 20 with rollers 21 is carried by the carrier frame 18 and may be pushed in over the seat portion 4. In the position shown the bathing person climbes into the bathtub, to thebottom 5 of the foot portion and sets himself on the seat portion 4, and rises after the bath comfortably from the seat portion and climbs out of the bathtub from the bottom 5, respectively. Alternatively, the bathing person, e.g. one who is bound to a wheel chair, may, by the aid of the carrier frame 18 and the seat 20, 21, sit down on the seat 20 and, resting upon the latter,

push himself over to the seat portion 4, where the seat remains during the bath (see FIG. 2). The bathing person will have a comfortable sitting position for washing (foot bath) or douching. The rising sides I serve as splash-guards and are also favourable as supports during the transfer to and from the seat portion 4 and to and from the bathtub over the sides 2. As illustrated, the bathtub may in this position be pre-filled with bathwater in the foot portion or shower place 5, 6, 7, approximately to the level of the seat portion 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates the same device but with the bathtub 1 etc. swung up to the bathing position. The control means herefor is preferably provided near the top edge 1. When the bathtub is swung up, water will flow from the foot portion or shower place 5, 6, 7 to the seat and back portions 4 and 3 respectively, on account of which the bathing person, designated I-I-R-S-B-F for head, back, seat, legs and feet, respectively, becomes substantially covered with water. The bathing position shown is comfortable and eliminates the wellknown draw-back that the bathing person slides to deep into the bathtub. The illustrated level of about 85 cm above the floor for the bathtub edge 1 is convenient for the bath personnel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified embodiment which is intended particularly for stiff-jointed persons. The bathtub which is designated 1A, 2A, 3, 4A, 5, 6A, 7, is illustrated in solid lines in its lowered entering position and in dash lines in its bathing position. In this case the piston 14 is suitably double-acting. The bathtub is rotatable on the shaft in the framework 11, 12. To facilitate the entering into the bottom 5 and stepping out therefrom the edge 2A is placed on a substantially lower level above the floor than according to FIG. 1 above. The shower-place or foot portion 5, 6A, 7 has in return a larger area to permit the required quantity of bath-water to be supplied thereto in advance. The angular relationships of the members R, S, B, F of the bathing person remain unchanged, independent of the rotational position of the bathtub.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment, as compared to FIGS. 1-2. In FIG. 4 the edges 1 and 2 of the bathtub are located in one and the same plane, whereby the top edge 7A of the foot portion 7 will become located on a substantially higher level above the floor than according to FIG. 1. This facilitates the stepping into and out of the bathtub but restricts the amount of water, which can be supplied beforehand, to the level VN-l. A removable auxiliary member 23 sealingly engages the edges 2 and 7A of the bathtub with its lower lateral edges 24 and the bottom edge of the rear side 26, the sealing members not being shown. A connection member 27 cooperates with the edge 7A, and locking members 28 cooperate with the edges 2. Thanks to this auxiliary member the water level may be raised to VN-2. The auxiliary or supplemental member, the top edges of which are designated 25, may optionally be put into its place beforehand or be attached after that the bathing person has entered the bathtub, and be removed before his leaving the bathtub. Thanks to this supplementary member the bathtub means may be adapted to shower-bath and to ordinary bath as well as to varying movability of the bathing person. It should also be observed that ordinary (tub) baths may be performed without utilization of the auxiliary or supplementary member 23 through refilling of bath-water with the bath-tub in bathing position according to FIG.

. 4 2. Supply of bathwater beforehand is, however, considered advantageous and desirable in most cases.

FIG. 5 in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 and 4 are utilized to designate the same or similar members, illustrates a similar device applied to a bathtub arrangement according to FIG. 3. With the auxiliary member 23 etc. removed from the upper edge 2A the bathing person can enter the bottom 5 without lifting his legs at all.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-2 have been utilized to designate like or corresponing members, differs from the embodiments described above primarily in that the shanks or the like 9, in which the bathtub is suspended in the frame part 11, are two in number and located on the two longitudinal sides of the bathtub, near the upper edge 1. Furthermore, the shank 16, in which the free end 15 'is pivoted, is provided on the side 6 of the foot part 57, instead of on the seat portion 4 as before.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings are, of course, to be regarded merely as non-limiting examples and may as to their details be modified in several ways within the scope of the invention. In particular, new embodiments, which are also encompassed by the following claims, may be created by combining details from different ones of the above examples in suitable ways.

What I claim is:

l. Bathtub means comprising a bathtub, a substantially horizontal pivot for said bathtub extending transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof for pivotally mounting said bathtub for pivotal movement between a lower entering position and a higher bathing position, said bathtub comprising two distinct and individual portions and a convex surface discontinuity therebetween, one of said portions being a seat and back portion and the other of said portions being a foot portion, said foot portion having at its top a substantially U- shaped edge as seen in plan view for defining said convex surface discontinuity, the seat portion of said bathtub being at least as high as said U-shaped edge when said tub is in said entering position and being lower than said U-shaped edge in said bathing position, said convex discontinuity being out of flow block relationship between said seat portion and said foot portion when said bathtub is in said bathing position, whereby bath water can flow from the foot portion to the seat and back portions when the bathtub is pivoted to the bathing position.

2. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which said U-shaped edge and the seat portion approximately are located in a common, substantially horizontal plane in the entering position of the bathtub.

3. Bathtub means according to claim 1, further comprising a seat removably carried by said U-shaped edge.

4. Bathtub means according to claim 3, further comprising mutually parallel rails which extend from said U-shaped edge substantially to that end of the seat portion which is remote from said U-shaped edge and wherein said seat is a roll seat mounted on said rails.

5. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which said U-shaped edge in the bathing position is elevated to such a level that at least half of the inner volume of the foot portion is located higher than said discontinuity.

6. Bathtub means according to claim 1, comprising a loose auxiliary member which constitutes the top of said foot portion and forms said U-shaped edge and which is substantially fatemghtly connectable to the than the seat portion in the entering position as well as bottom of the foot portion.

7. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which the in the bathing positionpivot axis of the bathtub is located on a higher level 

1. Bathtub means comprising a bathtub, a substantially horizontal pivot for said bathtub extending transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof for pivotally mounting said bathtub for pivotal movement between a lower entering position and a higher bathing position, said bathtub comprising two distinct and individual portions and a convex surface discontinuity therebetween, one of said portions being a seat and back portion and the other of said portions being a foot portion, said foot portion having at its top a substantially U-shaped edge as seen in plan view for defining said convex surface discontinuity, the seat portion of said bathtub being at least as high as said Ushaped edge when said tub is in said entering position and being lower than said U-shaped edge in said bathing position, said convex discontinuity being out of flow block relationship between said seat portion and said foot portion when said bathtub is in said bathing position, whereby bath water can flow from the foot portion to the seat and back portions when the bathtub is pivoted to the bathing position.
 2. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which said U-shaped edge and the seat portion approximately are located in a common, substantially horizontal plane in the entering position of the bathtub.
 3. Bathtub means according to claim 1, further comprising a seat removably carried by said U-shaped edge.
 4. Bathtub means according to claim 3, further comprising mutually parallel rails which extend from said U-shaped edge substantially to that end of the seat portion which is remote from said U-shaped edge and wherein said seat is a roll seat mounted on said rails.
 5. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which said U-shaped edge in the bathing position is elevated to such a level that at least half of the inner volume of the foot portion is located higher than said discontinuity.
 6. Bathtub means according to claim 1, comprising a loose auxiliary member which constitutes the top of said foot portion and forms said U-shaped edge and which is substantially watertightly connectable to the bottom of the foot portion.
 7. Bathtub means according to claim 1, in which the pivot axis of the bathtub is located on a higher level than the seat portion in the entering position as well as in the bathing position. 